Favorites falling on both sides of the bracket means we get another unexpected semifinal pairing at ESL Pro League Season 23, with Astralis set to battle Aurora for a Grand Final spot. Here’s our Astralis vs Aurora prediction, betting odds, and preview ahead of this crucial CS2 matchup.
This is a great chance for both teams to take another step in their respective journeys and battle for a title early on in their rosters’ lifespans. They might not have a better opportunity to do so in any of the upcoming CS2 events.
phzy completely shut out donk in the quarterfinals. Image source: ESL
According to most CS2 odds before the quarterfinals, Astralis were the least likely team to progress further into the competition, as they had to overcome Spirit to do so.
While they were the clear underdogs, it didn’t look like that on the server. Astralis were in control of the match from the very beginning, completely locking Spirit out on the CT side of Dust II.
The dominance carried through the whole series, with Astralis ultimately coming out on top with a decisive 2:0 victory. Everyone on the roster played great, but Love “phzy” Smidebrant’s AWPing stood out, with the Swee consistently having the measure of his Spirit counterpart.
Having just beaten one of the best CS2 teams, Astralis players should be full of confidence coming into their upcoming matchup against Aurora. However, they did lose to them in their previous meeting.
Aurora are the highest-ranked VRS team left in the playoffs. Image source: ESL
With all the other favorites crumbling under the pressure, Aurora is the highest-ranked VRS team left in the competition. In reality, all four remaining teams should be competitive against each other, including their next opponents, Astralis.
Although Aurora aren’t winning games in dominant fashion, they are putting together decent results in 2026, including a few impressive wins against MOUZ and Falcons.
The addition of Caner “soulfly” Kesici to the roster seems to have had a positive impact on the squad, adding depth to their CT sides and correcting the balance of the team.
Much like Astralis, the Turks should be confident coming into the semis, having beaten Astralis recently at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026. However, they will need everyone to show up, including one of the best CS2 players, Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş, to advance to the Grand Final.
Can HooXi lead Astralis past Aurora this time around? Credit: © ESL
Akin to the first ESL Pro League Season 23 semi-final, this one is difficult to call. The CS2 betting odds have Aurora as the favorites, but not by much.
While on paper Aurora have slightly better recent results, it’s hard to look past Astralis growth over the past couple of months, including their quarter-final dismantling of Spirit.
Having lost to the Turks in the previous tournament, Astralis will be eager to avenge themselves and get even with Aurora. The momentum seems to be leaning towards the majority-Danish lineup.
That said, a three-map gritty affair is the most likely outcome of this semi-final, with both teams capable of coming out victorious in the end. If we had to choose, we would give the edge to Astralis.
Score prediction:
Odds:
Odds courtesy of GG.Bet Esports and are subject to change.
Also read: G2 and Liquid complete malbsMd and NertZ swap ahead of CS2 Major cutoff
Featured image source: © ESL
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